Edgar Cayce Readings, 2711-1

Time and Place: 4:30 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. ..., England.

TEXT

GC: You will give the relation of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces, giving the conditions that are as personalities, latent and exhibited in the present life; also the former appearances in the earth's plane, giving the time, the place, and the name, and that in that life which built or retarded the development for the entity; giving the abilities of the present entity and that to which it may attain, and how.
EC: Yes, we have the entity and those relations with the universe and universal forces, as are latent and exhibited in the present entity's sojourn in the earth's plane.
In entering we find the entity under the influences astrologically of Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus and Venus. As is seen in the application of these influences in the present experience, these have been physically, materially, changed as the attitude of the entity has applied self's will respecting those conditions that have had, and do have, to do with the abilities of the entity.
Without respecting will we find these tendencies in the entity's make-up or individuality:
One that is constantly drawn to that of attaining knowledge for knowledge's sake, irrespective of application of same respecting its influence on others. More as this knowledge may be applied towards self.
One that is especially drawn towards elements that have, and have had, to do with the developing of mechanical elements for man's use; and that of engineering as applied to power has always drawn the abilities of the entity into action.
Love of nobility in nobility's sense, and of power in its higher application - rather than as of bringing others to subjugation on account of power.
As these elements have applied in the present experience, that of the portions having to do with occult forces and the influence in same have dominated the actions of the entity through the application of that attained as workable, understandable, conditions in the life.
In that as has brought these influence have to do with that of the Uranian influence, being those elements that have made - in the manner as viewed by others not understanding the entity's actions - that of variableness, and sometimes high, sometimes low, in material and in the affairs among men.
In the abilities that the entity may apply in the present experience to the understanding and building to a purport in the present experience, these may be seen more from that influence in experiences in the earth's plane.
In that as seen in influence in the life as a whole, tendencies toward physical defects have more to do with digestive system than to that of accident or material elements from without, and these are to be guarded against in the application of self toward those conditions that would bring distress or physical vexation in the present experience. Watch, then, the eliminations and the excretory system.
In the likes, dislikes, and those elements as builded by will's influence toward same, there is seen that the will has brought to bear in the life many conditions that the entity has become tolerant of, that in the early portions of life could not be tolerated at all. There are those conditions at present that bring the greater blessings in satisfied peace of mind in the ability to control desire, rather than being controlled BY desire. These have especial reference to relationships and associations of the entity.
In the appearances:
In the one before this we find the entity in that entity known as Bruce in England, when the entity gained and lost through the application of power as was attained by the entity through that period. In the urge as seen in the present, rather that to be the servant of many than served by many - and these bring much in those influences as have to do with the present experience.
In the one before this we find the entity in that land now known as Arabian, then in and among those that sought domination over the northern and western kingdoms, and the entity then in the name Ujhilld - and the entity gained and gained through this experience, bringing to the peoples as were brought under the subjugation that of the better application of action, thought and deed, as to the applying of same in relationships to others; and while the entity lived through the period of war, no entity or body suffered under the command of the entity. In the present we find that of the objection to capital punishment; and the giving always of another chance; and the love of the mystery that is innate in one that loves life as life.
In the one before this we find in the land now known as Egypt. The entity then in that period when division rose between church and state, or the king and the priest. While the priest in banishment, the entity then the keeper of monies, or the customs, as gathered from the natives, and supplied both the native and the rulers - for the entity gained and lost through this sojourn. Then in the name Ulhn, and the urge as seen - that of the desire to keep peace among those that are in power, whether pertaining to political, home, or national powers.
In the abilities of the entity - these apply particularly to that as gained through the application of will's influence in the present experience. Well would the entity gain through that dissemination of the ability to apply the knowledge attained through self, or individual, of the forces as apply to the individual man throughout the lands; especially in the western hemisphere, would the entity make those conditions that would bring much understanding of those relations as may be attained by individuals who would attune themselves to the cosmic forces as are evident in this material plane. Keep thine self in the way of understanding, and in all thine getting get knowledge that may be applied in the life of the individual who may so disseminate same in act and in deed as to bring the better understanding of the relationship between man and man's creator, that force ever evident in those elements seen, heard, known, among those who enter in the inner shrine of self's understanding. Ready for questions.
(Q) Would it be well for the entity to make the lecture tour under the auspices of the Association of National Investigators, Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va.?
(A) When the relationships that exist between that knowledge as is disseminated by each more thoroughly understood or correlated, well. Well that the entity for self's own development and knowledge, to disseminate that gained by self in lecture or in speech in the western hemisphere.
We are through for the present.

REPORTS

6/22/28 Letter from EC to Prof. [2711]: "Mr. [900] of New York asked me to have copies made of the enclosed readings and send them to you. As I understand, he has written you concerning the correlation of some of the information furnished in these with conditions in the present, and with the inclinations in the lives of several of us.
"I'm hoping you find the information given in your Life Reading interesting, as well as the enclosed, and worth looking into.
"I hardly know how to address you concerning the phenomena itself, not having been a student - other than of that presented in the information itself. I realize this is possibly very one-sided to one who has made a thorough study of psychic phenomena and kindred subjects as you have. The little I know of such phenomena, however, is through personal experience. I have read very little on the subject. I had some correspondence with Dr. Hyslop during his lifetime, and with Dr. Funk during his lifetime. I'm sure you know the ideas and ideals of both of these. Just a few of the students have I met in person. Possibly it is my own fault (if it be a fault) that more scientific students have not investigated the phenomena manifested through me. Possibly it is so common and ordinary it's not even worth investigating! but the things that have impressed me, the things that have made me even deem it worth while, are the results from the PHYSICAL readings that individuals have been able to obtain for themselves through the application of those things suggested in these readings. Then more recently I have been much impressed with the manner, or with the life that seems to have been developed through interest IN the phenomena. I speak of such persons as Mr. [900] himself. I know he is not a SIMPLE man. I know he is unusual in his abilities. He is, as we term here, a cold-blooded business man; and before his personal interest in the phenomena he apparently was wasting many of his abilities that, through this interest in the phenomena, have developed, and have been turned into channels that are bringing a great deal in MANY ways into the lives of a great number of people; and, if I am not in error, it is making those lives whom he contacts bigger, better, more worth while; and those individuals, at least, are feeling that they are making their lives more worth while, and possibly the world better, from having contacted such a man.
"So, my attitude has been - 'By their fruits ye shall know them.'
"I don't want to fool myself, and most of all I don't want to fool anyone else. While I do not profess to understand the phenomena, to be sure I have a few ideas concerning same. Whether I'm right or not possibly may be judged by that seemingly brought into the lives of individuals through their application, should I say, of information gained through the readings.
"The Life Readings I understand least of all, especially that phase that has much to say about re-incarnation. I've never read anything, nor even heard a lecture on this subject. Why this should have developed through this phenomena I have been at a loss to understand. However, these are most interesting; and, as some individual has said - they are interesting, even if there's not a word of truth in them! but what I'd like to know, if there is not some truth, how do they happen to fit so well into the lives of such a great number of people, telling them about conditions that will arise in their lives, the inclinations, trend of thought - and even in the lives of children who couldn't possibly understand from their normal way of thinking, and some of them are not even told about the circumstances, yet those very things arise or develop in their lives. This hasn't happened once but numbers of times. To be sure, there are several people who are making a close study (as far as they know how) of this phase of the phenomena, and I'm hoping - if you find the phenomena in ANY of its phases interesting - that we may have the privilege of having your help and assistance, and your ideas as to the proper way TO study it, or the various phases of it.
"I shall be very glad to hear from you if you feel inclined to write, and shall be glad to answer any questions possible for me to answer, that you might desire to ask. As you know, I am the subject through which this information comes.
"I certainly hope it is going to be possible for you to come to America and study or look over what we are trying to do. We have started the actual erection of the building in which the phenomena will be studied, especially the physical side, for there will be a regular physician in charge of the institution. We will also have a library and lecture hall, and we are hoping we may be able to have presented, or to purchase from England, much of the data that has been gathered there. If you will be so kind, I am sure you can instruct us as to just WHAT we would want in such a library. Findings possibly of Doyle, Lodge, Lombroso, or others.
"Thanking you, I am..."
7/25/28 [2711]'s letter to [900]:
Dear Mr. [900]
I expect you will have been wondering why I have not written before now, but the fact is I have been very busy with extra work at the University, and for several week ends my services have been requested for giving lectures on Spiritualism and psychic phenomena. This has required a lot of time travelling to and fro, and I'm afraid that my correspondence has suffered somewhat.
In the first place let me thank you very much for my own life reading. It is correct as regards present life conditions and the reference to my own physical conditions is accurate. With reference to existence in previous conditions I am of course unable to verify anything. It is however interesting to find that I was formerly Bruce. It so happens that my wife is a Scottish lady and belongs to Edinburgh. Possibly inherent Scottish tendencies in myself attracted me in that direction.
I have read with great interest the other readings and note that the same plan runs through all viz. particulars re conditions in earth life followed by those in previous states of existence. It would be interesting if the controlling entity would give some details showing more closely the connection between present life conditions and the past. I know it is an argument used by Theosophists that if a man at the present time is very interested in say Egyptology it proves that he had lived in Egypt in some previous incarnation. Possibly this may have been the case but many of us would like more complete information than this.
Mr. Cayce kindly forwarded me the other readings and I will return them this week. I feel very disappointed at not being able to come to U.S.A. this year, but hope that later on conditions may be more favourable. I am very pleased to know that so much good work is being done through the mediumship of Mr. Cayce. It is a great pity that the great majority of people do not know of some of the psychic powers which God Almighty gave them. Here in England much psychic work is handicapped by obsolete laws. When a psychic begins to be very successful, it sometimes happens that some sectarians pull the wires behind the scenes, and a legal prosecution occurs. Things are, however, better than they were, and here in ... one of our magistrates is a well known spiritualist.
Again thanking you for all the trouble you have taken on my behalf, I remain,
Yours Sincerely, [2711]
P.S. I have often wondered what is the relationship between the exercise of our own free will and the astrological conditions surrounding us in the past. Have any of us a free will absolutely or is it fate?
7/30/28 Letter from [2711]: "Many thanks for the copies of the rdgs. which you kindly sent me some time ago. I have gone through them carefully & find that they all follow the same plan viz. 1st statements relating to present earth life conditions, physical & otherwise; 2nd statements purporting to past incarnations of the entity concerned. It is of course for each individual to judge as regards the present conditions of their own life; all I can say is that the statements relating to my own physical condition are correct.
"With reference to previous states of existence, I have no means of verifying them. However, the information should be collected along with any other information obtained so that, later on, it may be possible to find some definite relationship between present & past events.
"Have you ever been given the name of the entity who manifests through you when in the trance condition & who, I understand, gives the readings? Also it would be interesting to know how this entity is able to get into touch with remote events in the life history of entities now in the earth life.
"Although I am aware that re-incarnation has been part of Eastern philosophy for centuries, I have, so far, not come across any clear, definite proof of it.
"I do not say it is impossible, for we have yet much to learn concerning life & its manifestations, whether in human beings or otherwise.
"Re the trance condition in which your rdgs. are obtained, is the condition self-induced or have you been under hypnotic influence by any external entity?
"It certainly seems very remarkable to an inquirer that the controlling entity can penetrate the condition of so many individuals who naturally possess totally different characteristics. Can you inform me as to what proportion of the readings are admitted to be correct, approximately. Also if it is the SAME controlling entity every time who gives the information. I hope the hospital which is being erected will be a great success & that attention will be drawn to the wonderful psychic powers inherent in man himself.
"Have you any objection to my forwarding a copy of a reading to Sir A. Conan Doyle. I am sure he will be interested. Also he may make some suggestions for your library, as he keeps a psychic bookshop in London and is in touch with the latest literature. I have many psychic books myself but there may be a few which I have not yet seen. Wishing you every success in the remarkably good work you are doing."
8/17/28 Mr. [900]'s letter: "[2711]'s communication is most interesting. I also have a letter from him and am enclosing it to you. Will you please return his communication in order that I may answer same personally. I would very much like to see the report made by you on the question [2711] asked in the enclosed letter regarding the relationship that exists between the exercises of our own free will and the astrological condition surrounding us in the past, incorporating therein the question, - 'Have any of us free will absolutely or is it fate?'. In taking this you would, of course, have [2711] before you and answer it according to the knowledge and understanding he possesses. I should like to see this report after you have it made and have your own comments on same as to what it means and then with this data answer [2711]'s letter from my own viewpoint of that that is given in the report correlating it with what has been given in previous reports."
8/20/28 EC's reply to Mr. [900]: "Dr. [2711]'s letter is quite interesting. I'm sure it indicates that we have access to a source that he and his associates would like very much to understand or know more of. Two outstanding facts, I think, are shown us in his letter. The WHY the readings gave Virginia, where we were able to incorporate under the laws of the State. And, 'There will be interests from across waters that will be unusual'. These, I think, are outstanding from his letter to both of us. We will possibly be able to get through Dr. [2711] and Sir Conan Doyle a great deal of data for our library, and I feel they will want to get as much data from us as we are able to supply. The correlating of the data Miss Gladys is compiling will be ESPECIALLY interesting to them, when he gets his question answered as you suggest we take a reading on - which we will do at the first opportunity, though I feel it has been answered so often before that I could give the answer without going to sleep; though it may present it, as you say, for his OWN mind's reaction. I'll send you the information as soon as possible, and will write Professor [2711] in answer to the letter he wrote me."
8/20/28 Letter to Prof. [2711] from EC: "I have yours of July 30th, and I certainly appreciate your writing me as you have. I only wish it were possible for me to talk over these things with you in person.
"With reference to the Life Readings, our secretary Miss Davis and my son are making a careful study of these. Miss Davis is compiling what might be termed a HISTORY, correlating the various facts presented in different individuals' life readings, seeing just how they tally with each other, and how they tally with the data that is obtainable on the subject, time or place. This I'm sure you would find very interesting, and I'm hoping that you will have the opportunity to go over this with Miss Davis, and with my son also. "Yes, we have had times when names were given us as to who was speaking. My impression has been, however, that Life Readings are taken from the record made by the individual entity itself. Possibly I get that impression more from the manner in which I am said to act when the suggestion is given for a Life Reading.
"No, the condition in which the readings are obtained is self-imposed. I have had some little experience with hypnotism, but practically all hypnotists that I have contacted have found it impossible to hypnotize me, or to get me beyond (when I would allow myself to be superseded) what they termed the passive state, whatever that is.
"As to the proportion of correct information, so far, in Life Readings - out of the hundred or more that have been made, we have yet to have a report where the characteristics and the mental influences were not said to be correct. As to the controlling entity in this information, as I said before, I BELIEVE it is the individual itself.
"The hospital is progressing very nicely. I hope to be able to better serve humanity through its channels. I have felt, since I was convinced there was merit in the information obtained, that if it was right and proper some day there would BE such an institution, and that if it wasn't right it had no place and should not come into existence. I'm hoping, and I believe there has been sufficient data gathered which, if properly compiled, would convince anyone, unless it was the most skeptic, that there IS sufficient evidence to warrant such an institution.
"No indeed, I have no objection to your forwarding any of the matter sent you to Sir Conan Doyle. I'd like very much to have his personal criticism of same; for, as I have said before, I don't want to fool myself nor anyone else, and I know those who have studied the phenomena in any of its phases are better able to judge it than I myself. I DO know what it has done for myself and my own immediate family, and many of my friends, and I can only take what others say as to what the information has meant to them.
"Yes, I certainly hope we will be able to get some help from Sir Doyle and yourself respecting the books or manuscripts in the library. We hope to make the institution an educational center, as well as a place where information given through psychic forces may be LITERALLY carried out.
"Thanking you for your letter, and hoping you will let me hear from you again, assuring you of my desire to be of service if I may to your self or any of your associates, I am..."
3/06/30 Dr. [2711] obtained a Physical Reading. See 2711-2.